Dendrites are the projections form a neuron's cell body that act to receive electrochemical signals from other neurons.

Dendritic Arbor

A side view of a JAM-B cell showing the asymmetrical dendritic field.[1]

The dendrites of a neuron are thin and branch often, close to the cell body. Based on the specific pattern of the dendrites branching, or a neuron's dendritic arbor, neuroscientists are able to classify the neuron. JAM-B cells a particularly notable example of how a cell's dendritic arbor can be used to identify a cell. In about 85% of JAM-B cells, there exists a marked asymmetry in the dendritic arbor.[1]